培根散文随笔集第51章：Of Faction 论党派（中英对照）
培根散文随笔集中英对照，通过阅读文学名著学语言，是掌握英语的绝佳方法。既可接触原汁原味的英语，又能享受文学之美，一举两得，何乐不为？
对于喜欢阅读名著的读者，这是一个最好的时代，因为有成千上万的书可以选择；这又是一个不好的时代，因为在浩繁的卷帙中，很难找到适合自己的好书。而培根的散文随笔，浓缩的不仅仅是文学，还是智慧。相信对阅读和写作都有很好的帮助。
51 Of Faction 论党派
Many have an opinion not wise, that for a prince to govern his estate, or for a great
person to govern his proceedings, according to the respect of factions, is a principal part of policy: whereas contrariwise, the chiefest wisdom is, either in ordering those things which are general, and wherein men of several factions do nevertheless agree; or in dealing with correspondence to particular persons, one by one.
有许多人有一种不智的意见，就是人君治国，要人治事，其政策之大要，在乎照顾各党各派底利益与愿望；然而道理与此相反，最要的大智乃在如何善为规划有关大众的、使人们虽有党派之别而不能不一致赞同的事务，否则就在如何与私人个别地用适当的手腕进行交涉。
But I say not, that the consideration of factions is to be neglected. Mean men, in their rising, must adhere; but great men, that have strength in themselves, were better to maintain themselves indifferent, and neutral.
但是我并不是说党派是可以忽视的。出身低贱的人，在他们往上升底过程中，是非有所依附不可的；但是贵显而本身有力量的人，最好是保持一种无偏无党的、中立的态度。
Yet even in beginners, to adhere so moderately, as he be a man of the one faction, which is most passable with the other, commonly giveth best way. The lower and weaker faction is the firmer in conjunction: and it is often seen, that a few that are stiff, do tire out a greater number that are more moderate. When one of the factions is extinguished, the remaining subdivided!: as the faction, between Lucullus and the rest of the nobles of the Senate (which they called Optimates) held out a while, against the faction of Pompey and Caesar: but when the senate's authority was ruled down, Caesar and Pompey soon after brake.
然而即在初入仕途的人，虽不免有所依附，最好是依附得很温和，要使自己成为本党本派中最能惬他党他派之意者，如此他底升迁之路大概是最为顺利的。较为低微力小的党派是团结最坚的，我们常见有些坚强不挠的少数人和较为和缓的多数人相持而终于把那些多数人折服了。党派之中的一党一派倒了的时候，那剩下的另一党或派就要自行分裂的。例如卢库拉斯和罗马参议会中的其他贵族底那一党（就是他们叫做“贵族党”的）曾与庞拜和恺撒相持一时，但是参议会底威权被打倒了之后，不久，恺撒和庞拜就分裂了。
The faction or party of Antonius, and Octavianus Caesar, against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a time: but when Brutus and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after Antonius and Octavianus brake and subdivided. These examples are of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions. And therefore, those that are seconds in factions do many times, when the faction subdivided!, prove principals: but many times also, they prove ciphers and cashiered: for many a man's strength is in opposition; and when that faileth, he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen, that men once placed, take in with the contrary faction to that by which they enter, thinking belike that they have the first sure; and now are ready for a new purchase.
和布鲁塔斯与拉西亚斯反对的安东尼和奥克塔威亚努斯底那一党或派也曾一度团结起来，与敌人相持，但是布鲁塔斯和拉西亚斯颠覆之后不久，安东尼和奥克塔威亚努斯就分裂了。这些例子是属于战争方面的，但是在私人底党争之中也是一样的。因此，有许多次要的党员往往在本党分裂的时候成为主要的人物；但是他们也往往成为虚数而被弃置；因为许多人底力量是在斗争上的；一旦所与争的对方消灭了，这些人也就没有用处了。常见许多已遂所欲的人们与自己借以进身的本党底反对党联络一气：这些人底意思也许以为那头一个党派是已经抓稳了的，而现在是收买一个新党的时候了。
The traitor in faction lightly goeth away with it; for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of some one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks. The even carriage between two factions proceedeth not always of moderation, but of a trueness to a man's self, with end to make use of both. Certainly in Italy, they hold it a little suspect in Popes, when they have often in their mouth, padre oommne: and take it to be a sign of one, that meaneth to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings had need beware how they side themselves, and make themselves as of a faction or party: for leagues within the state are ever pernicious to monarchies; for they raise an obligation, paramount to obligation of sovereignty, and make the king tanquam wws ex nobis: as was to be seen in the league of France.
叛党的人常易于成功，因为当事件相持，久而不决的时候，要能得到一个人底力量就可以决胜负，而这个人也就把一切的感激酬报都得去了。在两党之间守中立不一定永远是由于态度温和的原故，有时也是出于自利，为的是好利用双方，以达自己底目的。在意大利，当教皇们嘴里常说“众人之父”这几个字的时候，人们对这些教皇总是有点怀疑，认为由此可以看出来他们有意在一切事上都以自己底家族底尊荣为前题。为帝王者务须小心，不可偏向一方，以致俨然变成某党某派的党徒；国内的党派总是于王权不利的；因为这些党派常向党员要求一种义务，这种义务简直和人民对君主所负的义务差不多，并使君主成为“我辈之一”，如法兰西底“神圣同盟”中所可见者是也。
When factions are carried too high, and too violently, it is a sign of weakness in princes; and much to the prejudice, both of their authority, and business. The motions of factions, under kings, ought to be like the motions (as the astronomers speak) of the inferior orbs; which may have their proper motions, but yet still, are quietly carried by the higher motion of primum mobile.
党派之争过高过烈的时候，就足见人君之软弱：这种情形并且是很于他们底威权和事业不利的。在人君之下的党派底动转就应当如天文家所说的下级行星底动转一样，这些行星虽可以有自己底“私动”，然而仍应当安静地受第九重天底更高的动律底支配也。
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